Be Prepared For Drought Stories In The Media

With drought affecting more than half of the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has named more than 1,000 counties in 26 states as natural-disaster areas, the largest such declaration ever.

And as expected, the media is covering the issue extensively, particularly how the drought is affecting growers across the country. We're already hearing of stories popping up about how these conditions may be affecting Real Christmas Trees and the potential impact on the holiday season. To assist members in responding to these questions, NCTA has prepared a few talking points. While we know conditions vary greatly, the key is to present a consistent and positive message.

A dry summer does not mean families can't get a quality farm-grown Christmas Tree that year.

Harvest-height trees are more mature trees with well-established root systems so they're not as susceptible to seasonal weather patterns as are younger trees.

In most climates, trees go dormant in the fall prior to harvest anyway.

Consumers should not worry about the quality of trees they can find this year, no matter what the weather was like in the summer.